As Iceland’s first sustainable building, Sesselja’s House is used as an “eco-centre” for conferences, meetings, and educational courses for companies, organizations, schools, and the general public. The building consists of a timber-frame base with a turf roof and a part of the house is submerged into the natural landscape. The design has taken into consideration the local conditions to improve energy efficiency and how to best integrate the building with its surroundings. Other issues such acoustic design, use of natural light, ambient comfort and health have also been integrated in the design. The natural site was protected during construction by keeping machine traffic at a minimum.
Excavation was also minimized and all excavated material was re-used.
Building materials were based on life cycle analysis of their impact on the environment. Construction timber was carefully selected and laminated beams were used for the main structure. The house is clad with drift wood collected in northern Iceland. Other issues such as insulation, flooring materials and paint have also been tackled with the use of environmentally friendly materials.
Specific emphasis was given to energy consumption by using geothermal hot water, hydro and solar power to reduce the consumption. The main source of energy for heating is hot water and its use has been cascaded in order to optimize the system efficiency. The ventilation combines natural and mechanical (hybrid system) ventilation to meet the high occupation periods while reducing energy consumption. Special attention was given to the use of water and the sewer system is equipment with a separator and connected to an existing marsh in the community.
Verkís services was technical consultancy for the building design, design coordination and supervision of the construction activities.
The Challenge
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
Our Solution
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
The Result
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
Danish
Icelandic
